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Indonesian govt expects to complete eastern Palapa Ring by September
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Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara (second left) listens to an explanation by North Sulawesi Governor Olly Dondokambey during his visit to the province over the weekend to check the development of the Palapa Ring broadband network. (Kominfo press center/File)
T
he government expects to complete the construction of a broadband network in the eastern part of the country under the Palapa Ring project by September this year, a senior official said recently.
“I came here to ensure that all should be completed by the end of 2018. Hopefully, [the installation work] will be finished in August so that we can proceed with a stability trial in September,” Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara said on the sidelines of his visit to witness the installation of sea cables in Minahasa, North Sulawesi over the weekend.
Rudiantara asked North Sulawesi Governor Olly Dondokambey to provide assistance in issuing the permit for the project as soon as possible.
“Please help speed up the permit issuance [for this project,” Rudiantara told the governor.
According to Rudiantara, the Palapa Ring project is one of the President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo administration’s priority projects.
“The administration aims to develop Indonesia by strengthening border areas and villages,” Rudiantara said.
The Rp 14 trillion Palapa Ring project comprises three sections – the west, central and east – that will span around 13,000-kilometers. It aims to expand domestic broadband service nationwide, particularly in frontier, outermost and remote regions.
“Should this Palapa Ring project be up and running, all regencies across Indonesia will be connected with a fiber optic backbone network,” the minister said, adding that the presence of the network would narrow the digital gap among remote areas in the archipelago and major cities. (dmr)
